Lost fishing gear detection with side-scan sonar

We are happy to welcome Mr. Crayton Fenn from Fenn Enterprises Washington, USA, as an expert for searching lost fishing gear by side-scan sonar. Since 2009 Mr. Fenn and his team are supporting NOAA (Northwest Straits Commission) by localizing and retrieving derelict fishing gear such as crab pots and gill nets in Puget Sound. Applying the sonar techniques developed by Fenn Enterprises, they were able to retrieve thousands of acres of derelict fishing nets.

During the 9th of April, experiences and difficulties in localizing lost fishing gear in the Baltic will be presented and discussed. On Tuesday, the 10th of April, Mr. Fenn will demonstrate his side-scan sonar technique in the field, to find out if this technique is also appropriate for our waters. For this excursion, we will arrange a boat trip starting from Sassnitz, Rügen harbour. On Wednesday, the 11th of April, we will discuss the findings and possible application of the side-scan sonar technique for the Baltic waters.